ISSN 0816-6463 SEGMENTS Volume 19 Number 3 Journal of the December 2003 Scientific Expedition Group

C. Warren Bonython Retires from SEG

In this issue Friday 29th August 2003 was the the SA NPWS, SA Museum, Plant last day in the job for Warren. It Biodiversity Centre and the SA 1 Warren Bonython marked the end of over 20 years Water and other government Retires association with SEG and its departments and agencies Warren forerunner ANZSES. has witnessed the growth of the dreams of the founders to provide ANZSES (SA) Branch was part of a vehicle to fulfil its Mission 3 GRaSP Trip a national organisation operating Statement - SEG takes young October 2003 out of Melbourne. In 1980 Richard people on expeditions to areas of Willing, Joc Schmeichen and ecological importance and Warren and other interested combines adventure with training people formed the State branch of in scientific field techniques. 4 Munyaroo the Australian & New Zealand Expedition Scientific Exploration Society, and Warren's close association with the in four years the local branch ran members of the State Governor's 5 Kids Corner 4 expeditions for young people of Office has proved beneficial in SEG to the Gammon gaining the Patronage of the State Ranges, Kangaroo Island, Mt Governor and the Governor's 5 Editorial Remarkable and the Coorong. attendance to our 10 year celebration in 1994. In 1984 the local group were host to a national ANZSES expedition A small plaque mounted on a red on the Peninsula. Soon gum base on which sits a Flinders after this successful expedition Ranges rock (millions of years old) ANZSES consolidated its activities was presented to Warren at the into a single headquarters in 2003 AGM to mark the occasion of Melbourne. Rather than let the his retirement from the Scientific experience, enthusiasm and Expedition Group. The Committee contacts built up over the previous has formed the position of few years disappear, the Scientific President Emeritus and appointed Expedition Group was formed to Warren to the position in carry on work in SA. recognition of his service. The plaque now has pride of place just From that small beginning Warren inside the front hallway at his has overseen with the aid of others Magill residence. SEG operations in no less than SEGments is the sixteen expeditions to such diverse SEG says, "thank you Warren" for authorised journal of the parts of SA as Chowilla, Canunda, without your outstanding SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION Gawler Ranges, Coongie Lakes contributions and generosity of GROUP INC. and Venus Bay to name a few. SEG time and application to your office has also under his leadership seen of President, SEG would not have the formation of on going projects PO Box 501 grown in stature and be recognised such as Fleurieu Peninsula Road by government and other Unley SA 5061 Reserves Survey, Gammon Ranges institutions as a respectable body Scientific Project (GRaSP) and of dedicated people prepared to Minnawarra Biological Monitoring promote the values of wilderness Project. and to encourage the knowledge and appreciation of the natural SEG's membership has grown over environment. the years, and with the support of The SEG Committee and Members. Two views of Warren Bonython with the plaque presented by the Scientific Expedition Group in recognition of his long service to the group S G 2 E Gammon Ranges Data Recovery Trip

17th - 21st Oct 2003 Graham Blair David Kemp Tricia Williams Andrew Austin

Friday 17th goat numbers. The absence of discovered that the print film fruit on the Quandong trees camera had actually been In support of the data collection however, seemed irregular loaded with slide film. objectives of the trip, the compared with their usual Department of Water, Land & presence on previous October Biodiversity Conservation expeditions. The group The walk back to Vandenberg sponsored the transport with a speculated that perhaps they Camp was via Eichler Creek State Fleet 4WD. This provided require stressful conditions to and Sambot water hole. ample room for the 4 produce fruit. Although numerous pools of expeditioners and all gear. The water were encountered along drive from Adelaide to the To avoid the heat, the Sambot Eichler Creek, Sambot was Gammon Ranges, via Balaclava, rain gauge site was visited later found to be dry. Clare, Jamestown and Orroroo in the afternoon. Once again, was accomplished in good time the operation of the logger and reaching the park entrance by the calibration were very Monday 20th 2:30pm. Road conditions along satisfactory. the dirt from Copley to Arcoona As always, the walk back along Creek were good. Clouds started covering the sky Arcoona Creek was quicker after sunset, though it remained and easier than the walk in. The water level & enclosure warm well into the night. Even with 2 rest stops, the loggers were visited. No water Despite Graham and Andrew overall walk didn't take much was present in the level leaving half their food back at longer than 2.5 hours. recorder pool. The SDS water the car, there seemed an level data logger was re- abundance of food for all. Water installed, having been removed for cooking etc. was taken from After a lazy few hours during for repairs and modifications the pool about 200 metres up the middle of the day everyone since May. A calibration check from the junction of Western participated in the YF Rock was made to the enclosure rain Tributary and Arcoona Creek. Wallaby Watch. No Rock gauge, indicating it has been Wallabies were seen and only recording accurately. Sunday 19th 2 Euros were sighted at the junction of Evasive and Saturday 18th Rain started falling at about 5am Arcoona Creeks. The new and the temperature had Saturday's weather forecast was dropped considerably from the Arcoona Saddle rain gauge was for heat so an early start was previous evening. This didn't checked, being an excellent made. The South Branch rain deter an early start, with the place to have a cup of tea and gauge was visited en route to departure for the plateau by 6:50 enjoy the spectacular view. Wild Ass Creek for lunch. am. All of the photo-points en- Andrew was using the trip to route to North Tusk summit Tuesday 21st qualify for a Duke of Edinburgh were visited. The rain had Award so he participated stopped before reaching the With the Copley Bakery in actively by navigating along summit however the wind chill mind, the group packed and most of the route. Numerous made a striking contrast to the small pools of water were walking conditions of the left the park by 08:00am. After found along both South Branch previous day. the Bakery visit and a fuel stop and Arcoona Creek. Wild Ass at Leigh Creek, a stop was Water hole contained water so With Andrew navigating, we made to Aroona Dam. The trip was photographed. The reached the Plateau rain gauge back to Adelaide was once weather forecast proved by 9:45am. The weather started again via Orroroo, arriving in accurate with the afternoon improving and by midday the the thick of 5pm rush hour temperature reaching about 33 sky was cloud free. The rain traffic. degrees. Despite the heat, good gauge equipment was found to progress was made to operating well. Attempts with Vandenberg campsite, which photography however, were less was reached by 2:30pm. successful. It was not until most photo sites had been visited that Everywhere, vegetation was in it was discovered there had been flower and the good condition no film in the slide camera. To suggested reasonable recent make matters worse it was later rainfall and the reduction in 3 EXPEDITION TO MUNYAROO CONSERVATION PARK PRELIMINARY NOTICE

SEG will be conducting its major expedition early in the year of 2004 at Munyaroo Conservation Park on . The Park is approximately half way between and Cowell. It consists of habitats varying from coastal sand dunes, samphire and mangroves through open woodland of mallee and western myall, native peach, native pines and even some sandalwood to areas of bluebush and saltbush, The area is rich in bird species, invertebrates, mammals and reptiles. The purpose of the Expedition is to conduct a biodiversity survey of the western part of the Park. This area was not covered in the 2002 Expedition to the Park. The Expedition will include an Adventure Phase of several days bushwalking for those who would like to participate. The Expedition will run from 9th April to 24th April 2004 and transport & food are provided. For further information: e-mail [email protected] or phone Trent Porter on 82789078

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GRASP PROJECT

.Trips are planned in the near future as follows: January - long weekend, pre-trip meeting December 2003/ January 2004 (Linton Johnston, Kent Wilson) April - Easter weekend, pre-trip meeting March 2004 (Peter Love, Christine Arnold) All GRASP Leaders will be invited to the Annual GRASP leaders meeting early next year and trip leaders will be expected to attend the pre-trip meetings for the trips they are leading. For any more details on any of these please contact Linda-Marie Hall. Email: [email protected]

4 KidsThis time the hidden Corner words are related to the Christmas season. They are hidden in all directions. Can you find them all?

Y U L E T I D E Q V H Q E G R WORD LIST D O N K E Y S T A B L E T P L CHRISTMAS CHAMPAGNE M Y E N L S T A R Z T U T Z D YULE TURKEY N O E L C T T G O L D S Q G K YULETIDE CHIMNEY NOEL RUDOLPH S Z O H F X J S A N T A J I C HOLLY GIFT F H T I Y U L E T O Y S F L H WREATH TOYS TREE SLEIGH N W G F A C H R I S T M A S P PRESENT STABLE X T R U D O L P H V A U O A R GIFT HAM SANTA DONKEY R E I N D E E R K H S W H R E CLAUS REINDEER F R A N K I N C E N S E T E S STAR D E N G A P M A H C F B A G E GOLD FRANKINCENSE S L E I G H A L F K T G E N N MYRRH B Y E N M I H C G I F T R A T MANGER S A F N Z M Y T R E E X W M T

EDITORIAL

At the end of another year we can look back with some pride to a successful year in SEG. Under the able leadership of Richard Willing a magnificent expedition was held in Witjira National Park. GRaSP has continued with the help of Linda-Marie Hall after Chris Wright went overseas. The Minnawarra Project has continued to probe the hinterland of Myponga. After a well deserved Christmas break we look to 2004 and with the expedition to the western end of Munyaroo coming up in April it will only be a short break.

The only cloud on the horizon is that we have not yet found a new Editor for SEGments. This issue is the last I wished to edit but as yet no one new has surfaced. Please consider it you can do the editorship. It is very rewarding and not too time consuming with only four issues per year. Please contact me if you are prepared to carry out this work.

I wish a compliments of the season, a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our members and readers. ALUN THOMAS

5 SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION GROUP The Scientific Expedition Group came into being at a public meeting on 21st August 1984. Membership is open to any persons, family or organisation interested in the following aims: The promotion and running of expeditions of a scientific, cultural and adventurous nature. The furthering of knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the natural environment. Promotion of the values and philosophy of wilderness. Enabling people to learn the skills required for planning and running expeditions, and to develop sound field techniques. Members will receive regular information on S E G activities and expeditions SUBSCRIPTIONS (Including GST) Working adult member ------$16.50 Pensioner student or unemployed ------$11.00 Family membership ------$22.00 Organisation membership ------$22.00 ------APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP AND MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL Name...... Address ...... Telephone (H) ...... (W) ...... Email ...... Details of scientific, cultural, adventuring or other relevant skill or interests you may be prepared to share with the group: ...... Applications should be addressed to : The Hon. Secretary Scientific Expedition Group Inc. P.O. Box 501 Unley S.A. 5061 ------Patron: Her Excellency, the Honourable Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, AC, CVO, MBE, Governor of South Australia COMMITTEE

President Emeritus C. Warren Bonython AO Phone Fax Email President Dr Richard Willing 8558 6381 8558 6212 [email protected] Mobile 0408 807 517

Chairman Alun Thomas 8296 9453 8223 2588 [email protected] Vice-Chairman John Hayes 8234 6017 [email protected] Hon. Secretary John Love 8379 1172 [email protected] Hon. Treasurer Graeme Oats 8278 3179 8278 5577 [email protected] Committee: Phil Cole 8390 0250 8303 9555 [email protected] Duncan MacKenzie 8332 1204 8364 5527 [email protected] Peter Bailey 8370 2464 [email protected] Trent Porter 8278 9078 [email protected] Linda-Marie Hall 8204 9117 [email protected] Judy Mack 8364 2686 Editor Alun Thomas 8296 9453 8223 2588 [email protected] Address:23 Rutland Ave. Brighton S.A. 5048 SEG WEBSITE www.communitywebs.org/scientificexpeditiongroup

SEG EMAIL ADDRESS [email protected]